Eternal Battle

Artemis' Curse

By Olivia Rose

Chapter One: The Awakening

Artemis opened his eyes. Oh god I can't see! He struggled; trying to get up and found himself unable to move. He was bound by something. Though by what he wasn't sure. He struggled harder against the bindings; falling hard to the cold stone below. He cried out in pain; but found that the bindings had come undone when he fell. He stood; unwrapping himself. The musty smell and darkness attacked his weary senses. He felt his way around the room; his hand touching something. Another person? And then he realized where he was. Oh god I'm in a tomb! He felt around hurriedly; panicking. He had to get out! He'd die if he stayed in here! Then by some miracle he found the heavy door that led to world outside. He pushed as hard as he could but to no avail. His muscles were weaker than he'd remembered. But still he pushed until finally the door swung open; and he fell to the damp, grassy ground.

He stood; trying to get his bearings. Where on earth was he? Nothing about his surroundings seemed familiar. He stumbled through the abandoned graveyard; until at last he found the gate. The gate had rusted over time. Creaking as he pushed it open; stumbling down the road that led to town.

"Good night Aaron." Dorian said; waving goodbye as he headed toward home. Breathing in the dusk air as he whistled. As he walked down the dirt path that led to his secluded home just at the end of town; he saw a figure in the distance. He gripped the gun at his side as it staggered closer. He approached cautiously as the figure fell to the ground. Oh god it's just a kid! He ran to Artemis; who now lay crumpled on the ground. "Are you alright?" Artemis didn't respond; almost as if he hadn't heard him. "Kid! Are you okay?" Dorian tapped Artemis's cheek gently. "Where am I?" Artemis whispered.

"You're in Oakvale." "What!" Artemis jumped up scanning his surroundings. This didn't look like Oakvale. "Where is my family, my father?" Dorian stood; Artemis just reaching his shoulder. "Calm down, okay. Just tell me who your father is. Maybe I know him." Artemis looked up at Dorian and sighed. This man seemed trustworthy enough and he had to find his family. "His name is Julian; Hero of Oakvale." It took all of Dorian's strength not to laugh in this kid's face. The Hero of Oakvale; he must have hit his head pretty hard. His voice took on a serious note; designed to mask his amusement. "The Hero of Oakvale is dead. Has been for about three hundred years."

Artemis couldn't believe what he was hearing; three hundred years. That wasn't possible. But this man didn't seem to be lying to him. His weary mind tried desperately to grasp what he had just been told. But the world was growing foggy around him. He had the briefest thought that all of this might just be some horrible nightmare. And then he fainted; slumping into Dorian's arms.

He woke the next morning to the sound of cheerful voices. The smell of bread and lilander flowers mixing pleasantly in the air. He sat up and surveyed his surroundings. He was in someone's home. It was warm; inviting. It reminded him of his own home. He begrudgingly got of the comfortable bed and walked down the stairs; toward the voices.

He looked at the pair sitting at the breakfast table. He recognized the man; with his dark hair and sapphire eyes as the man who had found him. He assumed the woman was his companion. Dorian laughed heartily at some private joke when Artemis coughed; announcing his presence. They turned to him; and he suddenly felt nervous. He'd never been in the home of a stranger before. He'd once known everyone in Oakvale. But if what this man had said was true; then that was no longer so. He was alone.

"I'm Rebecca." The woman said smiling brightly; her hazel eyes dancing with vibrancy. "And this is Dorian." Dorian smiled at Artemis and motioned for him to sit. Artemis did so as Rebecca hurriedly fixed him a plate of food. For the first time Artemis realized that he wasn't just hungry; he was ravenous. He dove into the meal before him; only stopping when he heard their laughter. It reminded him of his parents. Dorian's full and hearty; like his father's. Rebecca soft and warm; like his mother's.

"Sorry." He said softly; remembering his manners. "Don't be. You must be starving." Rebecca said; smiling gently at him. "So kid, what's your name?" Artemis turned to Dorian; who looked as if he were probing deep inside of him. Searching for something. Answers most likely. "Artemis. Is my father really dead?" he asked; preferring to get straight to the point. "If your father really is the Hero of Oakvale; then yes." Dorian stated bluntly. Rebecca slapped him on the shoulder in a manner that was none to gentle. "What was that for?" Dorian cried out rubbing his bicep.

Rebecca rolled her eyes at her pathetic companion. Big baby. "How is it possible that your father died three hundred years ago, but you're sitting here now? What Happened to you?" Artemis's mind reeled. "I don't know. My aunt and I were attacked. The last thing I remember before you found me was a spell. A spell was being placed on me by...Jack of Blades." Rebecca and Dorian looked at each other. This poor boy. To wake up in a cemetery and find out that all you love is gone. Neither one could imagine how terrible that must , he's safe now. And they were going to do everything they could to help him. Rebecca placed a comforting hand on Artemis's arm."Why don't I show you around town? Things have changed a little. You might be curious to see how things work now." She smiled warmly at him; he nodded in agreement. Suddenly curious about this new world he had apparently woken up in. "Well I'm off to the pub." Dorian said; standing. "The pub, but it's not even midday." Artemis frowned at his rescuer; drinking at this time of day. Dorian laughed and patted Artemis's head. "You misunderstand, I work there. Serving various town lushes who spend all their time there."

Artemis scowled indignantly at the back of Dorian's head as he left; still laughing as the door shut behind him.

After breakfast Rebecca brought down a trunk from the attic. "What's in there?" Artemis asked curiously. "Well…" Rebecca said pulling out some old clothes. "You can't very well walk around in those clothes of yours; can you?" Artemis looked at himself. I don't think you can even call these clothes. More like strategically placed dish rags. She tossed him a white shirt and a pair of tan pants. "You can wear Dorian's old clothes. Thank Avo your boots didn't decay with the rest of your clothes." He ran to the other room to get dressed, as Rebecca put the trunk in its proper place.

When he was ready; having bathed and dressed, Rebecca grabbed some gold; there were a couple things she needed to pick up and they left. Artemis had to admit; even if only to himself he was excited. There was a whole new world waiting out there. He couldn't wait to explore it.

Thanks for reading, I hope I continue to get you support.

Sayanora, watashi no yujin. ^^